Taylor Swift’s ‘1989 World Tour LIVE’ Film Announced as Apple Music Exclusive
As her world tour promoting the 2014 album “1989” came to an end this month, singer Taylor Swift took to twitter to announce an upcoming collaboration between herself and Apple Music in the form of a new concert film called “The 1989 World Tour LIVE.” The backstage film will be published exclusively on Apple Music on December 20.
The Apple Music exclusive documentary was filmed on one leg of Swift’s world tour, at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Austrailia on November 28, 2015. The film will include the singer’s entire performance from the Sydney show with surprise musical and celebrity guest stars and “never before seen footage filmed backstage.” The singer was known for surprising fans with big-name cameos during the 1989 World Tour, and the Sydney show was no different, including artists like Alanis Morissette, Steven Tyler, and Wiz Khalifa.
Swift and Apple Music had an initially rocky relationship, beginning with the announcement of Apple Music’s three-month free trial, which would have seen artists go unpaid for the trial period while users streamed their songs an unlimited amount of times without paying them anything. Swift wrote down her opinion on the matter in an open letter to Apple, subsequently inspiring the Cupertino company to reverse course on the decision and ultimately bringing 1989 to the streaming service over the summer.
With today’s announcement of a full feature behind-the-scenes documentary appearing exclusively on Apple Music, and the release of 1989 on the service in June, it seems the previous drama between the singer and Apple is water under the bridge. Fans will be able to watch the film beginning next Sunday on Apple Music, using an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC, or Apple TV. Those who want to get a sneak peek can tune into Beats 1 at 9 AM PST tomorrow morning for a discussion between Swift and Zane Lowe regarding the creation of the new movie.
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Astronomers spot a star with a Jupiter-like storm
Unfathomably large storms aren’t reserved solely for gas giants like Jupiter… they can exist on stars, too. Astronomers using the Kepler and Spitzer space telescopes have discovered a giant storm on W1906+40, a brown dwarf cool enough (“just” 3,500F) to have clouds full of minerals. It’s so large that you could fit thee Earths within its volume, and it’s been raging for years. In fact, it wasn’t until scientists used Spitzer’s infrared detection that they even realized that it wasn’t just a massive sunspot.
Given that this is the first storm seen on this scale, there are still many questions left up in the air. How did it form? Is this a one-off event, or are these kinds of storms commonplace? Like or not, you won’t get more answers until researchers scan more dwarfs and (hopefully) understand the origins of this bad starry weather.
[Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech]
Via: TechnoBuffalo
Source: NASA
Nintendo invents a gamepad built from a touchscreen
Nintendo has said precious little about its plans for the NX (other than that it won’t be like a Wii U), but it might have hinted at what’s coming through some recent paperwork. The console maker has filed for a patent on a gamepad design where a touchscreen would cover the entire front panel. You’d still have familiar elements like analog sticks (poking through the display) and shoulder buttons, but the usual front-facing buttons would be replaced by context-aware touch. The move would give you the adaptability of a smartphone interface with the primary controls you’re used to in a TV system — you could even use the controller on its side, or get visual effects when you press buttons. It wouldn’t require a gigantic body like the Wii U’s gamepad, either, and a card slot could take game data directly.
This is just an application, and there’s no certainty that Nintendo will use this design any time soon, if at all. However, as The Verge notes, the would-be patent does line up with rumors that Nintendo will use Sharp’s free-form displays in a future product. Theoretically, this could be the technology behind the NX’s standard-issue gamepad. Moreover, the Wall Street Journal has heard that the NX would include a “mobile unit” that could be used separately from the main console. Given the presence of that card slot, it’s possible that you could play titles solely on the gamepad and take it with you — who needs separate TV and handheld consoles when your NX is both at the same time? The finished machine could be far less exciting, but it’s evident that Nintendo has at least been thinking about non-traditional hardware.
Source: USPTO
Talk Android Apps of the Week: December 13, 2015
It’s Sunday, the time of the week when Talk Android brings you a report on some of the very best applications we’ve been using over the course of the past seven days. Today we’re focusing our attention on a fantastic organization tool, a reliable Roku controller, an amazing wallpaper database and an incredibly addictive puzzle game.
Google Keep
Organization is key over the Christmas season. It’s important to make lists not only for the gifts you want to buy, but for the groceries you need to pick up, too. I’ve never been a fan of noting down chores on a piece of paper because I always seem to lose them — so this year I’ve done all my preparation on Google Keep.
For those unaware, Keep is an in-house application developed by Google, which enables you to record notes, lists and even photos. Any files created using the service can also be shared with other users, making it extremely easy to collaborate and assign tasks to friends, family and even colleagues.
Android Wear compatibility also means you can view your lists on your wrist. This is great when you’re out shopping as you can simply browse through the items you need to purchase, checking them off along the way.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Roku
If you own a Roku set-top-box, I’m sure you’d agree that its remote control is pretty shoddy and comes up short on the functionality scale. Due to its poor quality, the IR blaster has to be pointed directly at the box itself, which is a bit of a pain if you have all your third-party hardware neatly tucked away.
However, Roku recently updated its official companion application for Android to allow users to control their device over WiFi. In addition to having a fully-fledged remote accessible via their smartphone, adoptees will also be able to search for content and remotely open applications without having to trail through Roku’s long-winded menu system.
One of my favourite features, is the facility to push content from either your phone or tablet to your Roku box. I find this particularly handy when I’m having friends and or family round for dinner and they all want to see photos from a recent event or vacation.
Backdrops
As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, I’m quite partial to a creative background or two, and am constantly changing the wallpaper on my smartphone to suit my mood. This week, I think I may have discovered the best Material Design-inspired images database out there.
Backdrops is a free application available to download from the Play Store. It’s filled to the brim with tons of Full HD shots that have been handcrafted by a dedicated design and development team. There are even some device-specific renders stored inside the app, created solely to take full advantage of a handset’s color profiles, in order to produce the clearest possible picture.
ZigZag
If you have a weakness for a traditional puzzle games, then you’re going to love ZigZag. The title’s objective is simply to keep a ball on a wall. All you have to do is tilt your device up, down left and right to guide the ball along its path without allowing it to fall. As you progress through the game, however, the difficulty increases. Bends will appear more frequently, and the overall pace of the ball escalates.
Previous Apps of the Week editions:
Come comment on this article: Talk Android Apps of the Week: December 13, 2015
Talk Android Apps of the Week: December 13, 2015
It’s Sunday, the time of the week when Talk Android brings you a report on some of the very best applications we’ve been using over the course of the past seven days. Today we’re focusing our attention on a fantastic organization tool, a reliable Roku controller, an amazing wallpaper database and an incredibly addictive puzzle game.
Google Keep
Organization is key over the Christmas season. It’s important to make lists not only for the gifts you want to buy, but for the groceries you need to pick up, too. I’ve never been a fan of noting down chores on a piece of paper because I always seem to lose them — so this year I’ve done all my preparation on Google Keep.
For those unaware, Keep is an in-house application developed by Google, which enables you to record notes, lists and even photos. Any files created using the service can also be shared with other users, making it extremely easy to collaborate and assign tasks to friends, family and even colleagues.
Android Wear compatibility also means you can view your lists on your wrist. This is great when you’re out shopping as you can simply browse through the items you need to purchase, checking them off along the way.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Roku
If you own a Roku set-top-box, I’m sure you’d agree that its remote control is pretty shoddy and comes up short on the functionality scale. Due to its poor quality, the IR blaster has to be pointed directly at the box itself, which is a bit of a pain if you have all your third-party hardware neatly tucked away.
However, Roku recently updated its official companion application for Android to allow users to control their device over WiFi. In addition to having a fully-fledged remote accessible via their smartphone, adoptees will also be able to search for content and remotely open applications without having to trail through Roku’s long-winded menu system.
One of my favourite features, is the facility to push content from either your phone or tablet to your Roku box. I find this particularly handy when I’m having friends and or family round for dinner and they all want to see photos from a recent event or vacation.
Backdrops
As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, I’m quite partial to a creative background or two, and am constantly changing the wallpaper on my smartphone to suit my mood. This week, I think I may have discovered the best Material Design-inspired images database out there.
Backdrops is a free application available to download from the Play Store. It’s filled to the brim with tons of Full HD shots that have been handcrafted by a dedicated design and development team. There are even some device-specific renders stored inside the app, created solely to take full advantage of a handset’s color profiles, in order to produce the clearest possible picture.
ZigZag
If you have a weakness for a traditional puzzle games, then you’re going to love ZigZag. The title’s objective is simply to keep a ball on a wall. All you have to do is tilt your device up, down left and right to guide the ball along its path without allowing it to fall. As you progress through the game, however, the difficulty increases. Bends will appear more frequently, and the overall pace of the ball escalates.
Previous Apps of the Week editions:
Come comment on this article: Talk Android Apps of the Week: December 13, 2015
MacRumors Gift Guide by Eric: SteelSeries Nimbus Controller, Apple Watch Dock, BB-8, and More
Following in the footsteps of Juli, Joe, Mitchel, Marianne, and even MacRumors readers, I’m now adding my suggestions to the parade of holiday gift guides we’ve been publishing over the past week. Below you’ll find a varied list of accessories that I, Eric Slivka, use on a daily basis. and hopefully there’s something here for just about everyone with accessories for Macs, iOS devices, the Apple Watch, and the Apple TV all represented here.
– SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Gaming Controller ($49.99)
SteelSeries has offered Apple-approved game controllers for some time now, but with the launch of the new Apple TV roughly six weeks ago, interest in such controllers is surging. Fortunately for Apple fans, the SteelSeries Nimbus is a solid option that notably relies on a Lightning port for charging, making it easy to use existing cables and even Apple’s iPhone dock to recharge the controller.
Apple has heavily featured the Nimbus alongside the Apple TV, and has equipped demo Apple TV units in its retail stores with the controller. The Nimbus is also included in a Disney Infinity 3.0 starter pack for Apple TV.
Gaming on the Apple TV is still in its early days, but the benefits of a controller over the included Siri Remote are already clear, enabling more precise and varied controls in a package that feels more natural in the hands when gaming. Beyond Apple TV, the Nimbus can also pair with iOS devices, enabling controller functionality for a number of games including Real Racing 3, Oceanhorn, and several titles in the LEGO series.
Make sure to check out our full review of the SteelSeries Nimbus for more details on the controller.
– Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock ($79.00)
I was skeptical of this one when it first leaked and even once it officially launched, but once I got it in my hands, I was hooked. Yes, it seems expensive, but keep in mind that it includes a 2-meter Lightning cable in the box, an accessory that Apple charges $29 for on its own.
Third-party Apple charging stands with the exception of the $130 combination Apple Watch and iPhone dock from Belkin do not include a charging cable of any sort, requiring users to supply their own Apple Watch charging cables at an additional cost unless they want to commit the sole cable that comes with the watch to that effort.
Unsurprisingly, Apple’s dock has a premium feel, with a soft top and a microfiber bottom to prevent scratching. The center charging puck can lay flat or be swung up into a vertical position to charge the Apple Watch on its side, and the mechanism feels smooth and solid. The vertical orientation makes it great for Nightstand mode and for closed-loop bands. And while the disc shape takes up a bit more room than some other Apple Watch stands and docks, it’s incredibly stable and with the charging puck folded flat the dock can be easily stored in a drawer or slipped into a bag.
The use of a Lightning cable for powering the dock is also a major advantage over third-party docks reliant on actual Apple Watch cables. I’ve got Lightning cables all over my house, so it’s easy to move this Apple Watch dock anywhere in the house as needed and just plug a Lightning cable into it.
EasyAcc Monster 20000mAh Power Bank review
No matter how much you use your smartphone on a daily basis, you should have a backup battery pack that allows you to charge your devices on the go. That’s where the EasyAcc 20,000mAh Power Bank comes into play, and provides enough power for four of your devices to charge at the same time.
Despite this battery holding an enormous amount of battery, it isn’t very bulky or too big to travel with. You can hold it in one hand like you would with a small book. I took this battery pack on a cabin trip with me since there were no outlets, and it was the perfect addition to the rest of my gear. The best part was being able to share the power in the battery with a few other people who didn’t think to bring extra battery packs, as the Power Bank includes four USB ports for charging devices at the same time, whether it be smartphones, tablets or other USB compatible devices.
Power capacity and charging abilities with the EasyAcc proved top notch, as the Power Bank can push 4.8 amps to your devices, charging a little bit faster than you’re probably accustomed to, unless you use a recent fast-charging capable phone. However, Smart Technology is built into this power bank. What that means is that while the total output is capable of 4.8A max based on the technical specifications, plugging in devices that have less output will charge at their optimal rates based on the power bank’s chip detecting what type of device you’ve plugged into it. So for example, if you have an Galaxy S4 and plug this in, it will charge at about 1A. This 4.8A charging speed is faster than most of EasyAcc’s other products, meaning this device is top-of-the-line for them.
Also on the subject of high-end, this battery pack holds 20,000mAh of power, meaning you could charge your smartphone (depending on which type of smartphone) about four times before the battery pack is exhausted and needs recharged. Once I did have to recharge this pack, I was impressed with the time is took to fully regain its juice, at around six hours. This may seem like a lot, but compared to similar battery packs and the fact that this holds so much power, this is an impressive feature.
The Power Bank includes a built-in LED light perfectly suitable for emergency situations without electricity. The light is quite bright on this pack and only require the press of a button to activate. Also on the device is four LED notification lights signalling how much power is left. Four lights on means the power pack is fully charged, while three or less means the device is declining in power.
The EasyAcc 20,000mAh Power Bank is a welcomed addition to the items I bring on road trips or sitations where I know I will not have electricity. I find it really useful to have in the car so I don’t have to worry about bringing a car-adapter plug too. The 20,000mAh battery pack has gone down in price since its initial release and can currently be grabbed for $35.99, which is a great deal. Hit the link below for their Amazon page.
Technical Specifications include:
Capacity: 20000Mah/74Wh
Battery Type: Lithium ion
Input: DC 5V 4A(max)
Output: DC 5V 4.8(max)
Size: 6.57 x 3.15 x 0.86in
Weight: 454g/16 oz.
The post EasyAcc Monster 20000mAh Power Bank review appeared first on AndroidGuys.
The After Math: ‘Murica!
With the presidential elections just under a year away, the American political season is kicking into high gear. But the race to be Commander in Chief isn’t the only thing going on in this country. We’ve got veterans getting new members, Chicken McNugget dispensers and hoverboard bans as well! Here’s your United States, by the numbers.
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Amazon pulls some ‘hoverboards’ over safety concerns
Airlines aren’t the only ones nervous about “hoverboards” catching fire — Amazon is pulling some of the self-balancing scooters until they’re proven to be safe. Swagway (one of the better-known manufacturers) tells The Verge that the internet retailer wants all sellers to demonstrate that their devices meet the right battery and charger safety standards. Needless to say, those boards that don’t make the cut won’t be coming back. Swagway maintains that its own models are safe, but rivals like CoolReall and PhunkeeDuck might not be so lucky.
One thing is certain: Amazon has its work cut out for it. As Casey Neistat shows in a clip below, the “hoverboard” market is defined by legions of near-identical models, many of them from tiny companies with no real track record. It’s hard to know at a glance whether or not the more expensive boards are any safer than their cheaper counterparts, and they sometimes aren’t. Those boards that stay on Amazon should be safe, but it may take a while before the dust settles and it’s clear who you can trust.
[Image credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images]
Via: The Verge
Source: Best Reviews
Chromecast Audio dongle stars in yet another video
The YouTube channel ‘Google Cast’ has uploaded yet another video promoting the Chromecast Audio dongle.
If you’re new to streaming media, Google’s newest Chromecast dongles are a great place to start. ‘Google Cast’ has uploaded a brief video on how easy it is to use the Chromecast Audio dongle. Users can use just about any Android device, laptop, desktop computer or even an iPhone or iPad. It’s extremely easy to set up and works using your home’s Wi-Fi network. Best of all, the library of supported apps is growing by the day.
Google also managed to put time aside in the ad to show how its newest feature works. Home Group allows you to link multiple Chromecast dongles together so that you can play the same song all throughout your home. Google also points out that users can use the device while the music player simply runs in the background. Guests can also cast to your Chromecast Audio dongles with no initial setup. If you’re interested in getting one for yourself, now’s a great time because of Google’s active promotion. For a limited time, you’ll get a $20 Google Play credit with your purchase.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Chromecast Audio dongle stars in yet another video
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